11 Designer Tips for Choosing Kitchen Cabinets (Plus Mistakes to Avoid)
Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing one, kitchen cabinets can set the tone for your home's style.
With the endless amount of options for kitchen cabinets, it can be daunting to know which color, style, and hardware to choose. We asked some professional designers to share their best tips for choosing kitchen cabinets you'll love for years to come and what common mistakes to avoid.
Assess Your Space
First and foremost, no matter which style you ultimately choose, you need to have a realistic view of the room itself. Factor in the size of your family and how much you will actually cook in the future. For a small family of four, plan on setting up a set of cabinets that total about 24 square feet, then add six square feet for each additional family member.
If you're dealing with a smaller kitchen and aren't planning to expand its size, consider what parts you can maximize for its fullest storage potential. Leni Calas, the founder of Ward 5 Design, recommends getting creative with what you need space for. If you have a lot of dishware and appliances, you may want to add corner cabinets, cabinet pull-outs, or a kitchen island so you have enough room.
Plan for All Seasons
Kitchen cabinets store daily serveware and food storage as well as things you might only pull out a few times a year, such as serving trays, big roasting pans, and special glassware. If you are currently stashing specialty pans or dishes in a spare closet, take them out and include them in your overall plan for the kitchen. Having everything you need at your fingertips will make being in the kitchen more enjoyable.
Keep It Clean
As with everything else in home design, cabinet styles have their own trends and traditional looks. You want to choose timeless options, so your cabinets age gracefully.
Replacing cabinets can be an expensive job, so you want to make sure you get some longevity out of your renovation the first time around.
Brooke Spreckman, founder and principal designer of Design Hutch, likes to use a shaker-style cabinet with a thinner border for a clean look. Styles similar to this one will work in modern and contemporary kitchens.
And speaking of clean, keeping to a simpler cabinet style isn’t just a design choice since there are also practical concerns. Cabinets with fluting, ribbing, or any type of busy pattern may age quickly and accumulate more debris overtime resulting in more maintenance, Spreckman says.
Choose the Right Finish
Once you have settled on a style, you’ll need to choose a finish. Since the cabinets will complement the rest of the kitchen's design, it's essential to know what the final room will look like so you know the color won't overpower the room.
Some classic options include stained wood since the shade will nicely complement your counters, appliances, and hardware. However, not every stain is right for something as visible as kitchen cabinets. Calas cautions against choosing any stain with a yellow or orange tone, as those shades tend to age poorly.
Go Wide
Functionality and accessibility are huge when it comes to your kitchen. Think about how you cook, where you like to store dishes, and what type of cookware you use daily. You don’t want to go through the entire process and then realize when you are setting up the space that your favorite pans don’t fit close to the oven.
Cabinets come in various widths, and Spreckman advises choosing wider units for both upper and lower cabinets.
“If you have a space that is 48 inches wide, use two 24-inch-wide cabinet boxes,” she says. “Do not split that into three 15-inch boxes.” The result will be a more efficient use of space that enables you to tuck more items into each unit.
Finish the Look
Adding hardware such as drawer pulls and door knobs to cabinets adds an extra layer of style and functionality.
“Cabinet hardware becomes the jewelry, and this selection will really finish the design,” Tama Bell, founder of California-based Tama Bell Design, says.
As with everything else in a kitchen, hardware should blend well with your other appliances and finishes. Gold-tone knobs and pulls tend to look more dated than pewter or silver, and although novelty pulls might be cute in a bathroom, they won't work en masse in a larger space like a kitchen.
However, the good news is that hardware is relatively easy to change out, so if you get tired of what you choose, you can always swap it out for something new.
Just as important as a checklist of things you should do when putting in cabinets is a list of common mistakes people make. When designers are called in for a kitchen remodel, they often see ideas not working out. They recommend getting ahead by researching beforehand and knowing what to avoid in the first place.
Take Your Time
Cabinets are a big investment, both in dollars and time, so take the time to look at design and manufacturer sites to save styles and colors that resonate with you.
Seeing something online is a good start but nothing beats getting a firsthand look and an expert opinion. Emily Mackie, founder of Inspired Interiors, says, getting some designer guidance is crucial because they will help you push boundaries and explore innovative design solutions.
"Keep a keen eye on emerging trends, and consider attending trade shows if you have the opportunity," she says.
Make Your Money Count
Everyone loves a good deal, however, there are some places where cutting costs doesn’t pay off. Since there's a wide range of options, you don’t have to choose between ready-to-buy, mass-produced cabinets and custom-built units.
“Cabinets don’t have to cost a fortune to be beautiful,” says Salas. “It usually just involves some legwork to find someone who can produce quality results for a good price.”
Unfortunately, lower-quality cabinets will not hold up as long as custom units. Although they may look fine years down the road, the subpar components could end up making drawers and doors close awkwardly and become annoying in daily use.
“Consider the cabinet selection process akin to purchasing a car,” says Mackie. “You wouldn't seek out the cheapest engine when buying a car, as you understand that a vehicle's longevity depends on its quality." She suggests prioritizing cabinets that are built to endure to ensure a lasting and functional kitchen space.
Consider Ongoing Maintenance
Color and style will influence how often you’ll need to wipe down your cabinets. An off-white front with a more intricate border will be affected by food splatters and everyday dust, making daily wipe-downs pretty much a guarantee.
Even though many cabinet layouts leave space between the top of the uppers and the ceiling where a homeowner can display decor items, Spreckman advises against this.
“Carry your cabinetry all the way up to the ceiling when possible,” she says. “Don’t leave space for dust to collect above your upper cabinetry.” Your future self will thank you!
Take a Look Inside
Having enough cabinet space is one thing, but if you open a door and see a jumble of bowls, plates, and glasses, you still have an accessibility issue. You don’t want to constantly have to take out every dish in the cabinet to find the one you need.
Before you purchase your new cabinets, take some time to consider how you will arrange your kitchenware to be within easy reach. Installing racks and bins and other storage systems inside your cabinets will give you a custom feel that makes working in the kitchen easier.
Let There Be (Enough) Light
Cabinets can cast shadows, especially those with a darker finish. Installing appropriate overhead lighting may help illuminate the workspace, but it won’t with up-close tasks, especially with small countertop appliances. Consider adding under cabinet lighting strips or other similar options to help you see better.
Starting with a solid plan and assessment of how you use your kitchen and careful consideration of your overall design will help ensure that your cabinet project is a success for years to come.
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Read the original article on The Spruce.
